From Moment to Movement: The Story of Empowering Auto

Empowering Auto Conference has humble beginnings. It started in 2019 at a half-day breakfast conference hosted by Women@HAC - an employee resource group, named “Empowerment,” located on-site at Hyundai Auto Canada’s head office. The intent was always to be an annual, growing conference. This event wouldn’t accomplish its aim if it remained a Hyundai-only event. We need to show the diversity, expertise and motivating individuals already in the automotive industry. We have broken down the usual competitive boundaries to unite with a common goal to combat our shared challenge regarding the attraction and retention of women.

Aryan and Katherine, colleagues at Hyundai Canada, connected on their shared passion for empowering women in the automotive industry. Aryan started at Hyundai right out of university, targeting automotive specifically from her lifetime of passion for cars. Katherine took her career into auto after building a strong HR foundation in other industries.

After Katherine attended her first in-person conference in May 2022, she was inspired to re-visit the conference idea and in a big way. After a few quick text messages to re-visit the idea of hosting a large-scale conference, Katherine and Aryan started to float the idea through the Hyundai Canada ranks, and it was received with full support and enthusiasm.

With the unwavering support from our CEO Don Romano, they booked a venue and got to work. The two recruited their 3rd and missing piece from the equation, Jenn McCarthy. Jenn brings 16 years of automotive PR experience we need to help make this event a success.

If you’re reading this, it means you’re curious, or ready to attend and support. We appreciate that, and you! We hope to see you at an upcoming event to network and hear some incredible stories from a chorus of inspiring voices in the Canadian car business.

 FAQs

  • Tickets will become available at for $350 plus applicable taxes and fees. Student tickets are free and validation of student status is required. Tickets include breakfast, lunch, snacks, and headshots.

  • The Fairmont where the event is being held is a hotel and there are a number of other hotels in the area.

  • No. We held a half day event in 2019, and have since grown to an all-day, offsite event to be inclusive to the entire industry. Our inaugural event was November 2022.

  • Business casual. Examples include dress shirt, dress pants, skirt, dress, etc.

  • Our event will have total photography and videography coverage with assets being shared a few days after the event.

    We will also be providing headshots.

    Photographic images are incidental to attending this event. These images may be used for future promotions without permission or compensation.

  • No. Empowering Auto is a federally registered not-for-profit organization. This event is co-founded by a group of women currently employed by Hyundai Auto Canada. The council is formed of individuals across the auto industry and outside the auto industry - including students! Hyundai is one sponsor along with many other sponsors.